SIR: I have the honor
to report that on the 29th of June, 1863, I was ordered to open
communication with the mortar battery on the left of our line at Port
Hudson with Lieutenant Eaton, whose station was in a barn on the opposite
side of the river, from which he could see the enemy's river [batteries],
with the aim of directing fire of our guns and mortars Upon enemy's
batteries.

The following is a
correct transcript of messages sent and received by me while there:

JUNE 29,1863.

Sent. "How shall the mortars fire to hit the gun
on wheels behind the citadel? How many yards is it?"

Received. "Three hundred and fifty. The gun is
not there."

Sent. "Where is it?"

Received. "Eight hundred [yards] on the verge of
the bank."

Sent. "Is it a rifled gun, about
1.28-pounder?"

Received. "Yes."

Sent. "Eight hundred yards from here?"

Received. "Yes."

Sent. "Watch a shot fired at it from here. How
was that?"

Received. "Try it again at 500 yards."

Received. "Neither shell exploded. F.L.L."

Sent. "Did they fall in the river?"

Received. "No. F.L.L."

Sent. "Watch now."

Received. "Splendid range; fire 100 yards short
of last shot; that did not explode; could not see where it
fell."

Sent. "Will try it again; keep watch."

Received. "That fell 150 yards short; range
good."

Sent. "Was not fired at it; watch now. Did you
see that?"

Received. "No, did not; can seldom see them
unless they burst."

Sent. "Will cease firing for the present. Can you
see the rebs in the citadel?"

Received. "No; but scores of them on this
side."

Sent. "Direct fire at them. Orders are to cease
firing for the present."

Received. "Will they permit you to direct fire of
one of the Parrotts?"

Sent. "They only bear on the citadel, and all
firing has ceased."

During this day we were
directing the fire of the mortars.

On July 1, we were
again at the same station, and the following are the messages received and
sent:

Sent. "Can you see the gun that is firing
now?"

Received. "The rebels from opposite me are
firing."

Sent. "Are they together?"

Received. "No; one is 600 yards, the next 1,000
yards, and the next 1,200 yards from your battery."

Sent. "On the river bank?"

Received. "Yes, within 50 yards of it."

Sent. "How was that shell from here?"

Received. "Don't know. Can direct fire of your
guns, if you are ready."